Suzuki Roshi famously claimed that the difficult part of Zen practice was not sitting, or even enlightenment. Instead, he suggests that it is the way we entangle and hinder ourselves with ideas and expectations. We’ll be exploring the ongoing path of practice, using as guides selections from Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, as well as the early writings of Eihei Dogen. We'll learn how to work with the seemingly paradoxical dynamics that underlie practice and, indeed, all human activity—at least all human activity that we care about.

To Register: Use the ticket table below to register online. Or call our toll free number (888.743.9362) or our local number (415.475.9362).Although online sales have ended, space is still available. Please call during business hours or register at the door with cash or check.

Zachary Smith (Anshi Daigi)Zachary Smith, Anshi Daigi, has been practicing since 1993, took jukai in 1995, and was shuso under Abbot Paul Haller in Fall of 2007. He currently directs North Mountain Zendo, a zazenkai group in North Beach. In addition to his involvement with Zen, Zachary is a husband and father (of 4), an engineer, a musician, a bike fanatic, and an avid but mediocre poet. He may be the only person in the history of Zen in the West to have interrupted a residential practice period to tour with a rock band.